2 Shamrock Leaf Winter 2010/11 talysis pushing for the de- done.” The membership must do velopment of Grosse Ile as One way you can its part by paying their an Irish Memorial Park, honour Marianna’s dues, and if possible, mak- but also a warm and car- memory is by making a ing a donation to aid the ing person and became a donation to: Irish Herit- publication. friend to many of us in age Quebec, 1145, rue de I must pay tribute to New Brunswick. Salaberry, Quebec, QE, our Assistant Editor, Lin- When Edna and I G1R 2V7. Marianna da Evans, for the invalua- heard that she was chosen founded the organization ble work she did in help- as the Grand Marshall of in 1973, and Joseph Lon- ing to put this issue to- Quebec’s first St. Patrick’s ergan succeeded her as the gether. Also, Marilyn Day parade since 1926, we new President. Driscoll has spent many had to be there to cheer In New Brunswick, hours entering the materi- On May 24, 2010, her on. On a nice sunny we must also support Roly al and formatting it so that the Irish community in day, thousands turned McSorley, our Provincial it will be ‘print ready’ for Canada, and especially out. Shortly afterwards President, his executive, the printer. This helps cut Quebec, lost a special per- we received the sad news Board of Directors and our the costs immensely. son with the death of Ma- that she would not be with Chapters who as Joe said Once again, we owe Linda rianna O’Gallagher. In the us much longer. about Marianna, “...must and Marilyn a heartfelt early ’80’s when we were As her good friend be about their work and thank you. exploring the idea of and colleague, Joe Lon- get things done.” This can As St Patrick’s Day forming an Association ergan said in a tribute to only happen with the sup- 2011 approaches, take and deciding what pro- her, “Marianna will be port of our members and time to plan events in jects we could do to hon- missed. She has been friends. your area. Don’t forget our and recognize our mourned. Those of us The cost of prepar- about the young people Irish ancestors, Marianna who wish to honour her ing and printing the and check with your local was there to urge us to do memory and value our Shamrock Leaf has be- school for a special St. Pat- what had to be done. Irish heritage as she did come expensive. The ex- rick’s Day event also. Marianna was not should emulate her vir- ecutive have taken steps to only a teacher, author, tues. We should be about cut down costs so that we Farrell McCarthy Irish historian and the ca- our work and get things can continue to publish it. Editor Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I’m pleased to renew my To the Editor, arriving in West Prince membership subscription County. The website is I find the Shamrock Leaf and contribute to the annu- The Tignish Irish Folk Fes- www.tignishirishfolkfestival.c most interesting and in- al bursary draw. I just tival has been going 10 om. formative. The historical hope I have picked a win- years. We have our festi- tenor of most articles is a ner! val the first weekend in Leo and Laureen Handrahan sheer history lesson and August (outdoor concert). Tignish, PEI the reviewed books on Ire- Is mise le meas, In 2011 we will be land are an additional op- Michael J. McAteer celebrating 100 years, the tion for the reader. Fruitvale, BC bicentennial of the Irish Winter 2010/11 Shamrock Leaf 3 The President’s Message Dear Members, tal on the provincial ar- ince-wide. public forum at every I’ve enjoyed the first year chives website and Cana- Many things have hap- chance. of my term as president. It da’s Irish Festival on the pened and continue to hap- Let’s keep this good stuff has certainly allowed me to Miramichi. I also attended pen. We have a committee going. I’m inviting you to get to know a lot of new the Irish festival at Doug- who, in conjunction with get involved in the preser- people and to renew a num- lastown on the Gaspé and the Scottish and Welsh so- vation and perpetuation of ber of old friendships. It was pleased to put some cieties, are very actively the Irish culture in our has also enabled me to be in time in at the Capital Area pursuing a provincial Celt- province. I am looking closer touch with some Chapter booth at the Multi- ic Secretariat. The struggle forward to the second year pretty regular and dependa- cultural festival in Freder- for proper recognition and serving as your president. ble members from around icton, the NB Highland promotion of Partridge Please join me in being ac- the province. Games and the Gathering Island continues. We are tive. In the year gone by I of the Scots in the spring in still looking to get “The have been privileged to Perth-Andover. I write Gathering” off the ground. Sincerely, represent our association at this as witness that we are We all have an interest in Roly McSorley a number of public func- gaining exposure at many these and other initiatives ICCA President tions. A couple that jump events and initiatives by and can contribute to see- immediately to mind are our local chapters and pro- ing them brought to frui- the launch of the Irish por- vincial committees prov- tion by keeping them in the Letters to the Editor (Continued) Dear Editor, Here is what I know What I am truly in- – I am the daughter of terested in is the name of The Shamrock Leaf is a Dear Editor, George H and Beulah the ship Bernard (called treasure. Congratulations (Curry) McLaughlin. My Barney) McLaughlin came to Mr. Roly McSorley, edi- Received my copy of the grandfather was Michael over on. He landed in tor, Farrell McCarthy and Shamrock Leaf – ‘enjoyed Patrick McLaughlin, who Saint John. Do you know the membership. Keep up everything in it!’ went to live with his Aunt if ‘Barney’ came to Canada the Association’s good Particularly interest- Mary (Patrick) McCarthy. by himself or were there works! ed in the McLaughlin side He was married to Emily other relatives with him? – saw the article on Mi- (Dolly) Goodine, daughter Who were his parents and John P. Murphy chael McLaughlin, won- of Rueben and Mary what county in Ireland did New Bedford, dering if he may have been (Hanscom) Goodine. they come from? When he Mass., USA related to us. Michael’s mother was came across at Fort Fair- Maggie Ludgate and she field, there was another was married to George McLaughlin named Dennis McLaughlin, son of Ber- – could they have been re- nard McLaughlin and lated? Can anyone help Mary Delahenty. They with more information? were married in 1825. Her marriage license and the Christina US Census lists her as be- (McLaughlin) Latham ing born in Ireland. They 1333 Pond Road came to Fort Fairfield, Mount Vernon, Maine in 1831. ME 04352, USA (This letter was con- 4 Shamrock Leaf Winter 2010/11 Murray Corner is located on (d. 1874) and Rev Alexander Robin- However, the cairn so loving- the Northumberland Strait in the son (d. 1886) – both Irish Covenanter ly placed in the Murray Corner pio- southeast corner on the province. clergy – who had a large following neer cemetery in 1940 to remember For many it is known for its quiet throughout the Chignecto region. Clarke, Robinson and their flocks is provincial beach and incredible sun- The Covenanters were a strict re- in desperate need of repair. The sets. In more recent years, Murray formed Presbyterian group and base is deteriorating and it will soon Corner is better known as a great eventually joined the Presbyterian be irreparable. The Pioneer Ceme- place to snap a picture of the Con- throngs but not before starting a to- tery board is looking for help to federation Bridge from a distance. tal of 19 parishes throughout the raise the necessary funding for re- However, tucked away in nineteenth century. Their faith was pairs. For more information, please Murray Corner is a pioneer ceme- unique and their story is detailed in contact Rev. Dr. Eldon Hay at el- tery that is becoming well-worn and Eldon Hay’s book, “The Chignecto [email protected], or you weathered and in need of assistance. Covenanters” - A Regional History can send a donation to the “Pioneer Within the cemetery is a large of Reformed Presbyterianism in Cemetery Board” to Kim Atkinson, cairn commemorating two pioneer New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, 45 Caissie Ave, Shediac, NB, E4P clergymen, Rev. Alexander Clarke 1827 - 1905. 1J9. Johnson Chair in Canadian Irish Studies created at Concordia In 1996, a group of Canadians of program offering 24 courses, dealing with lion donation, to be matched by a $1 mil- Irish background created the Canadian Irish heritage and with the story of the lion from the Concordia University Foun- Irish Studies Foundation. They believed Irish in Canada, attracting about 600 stu- dation, to create the prestigious Johnson that the history of the Irish in Canada, and dents annually. More than 7,000 students Chair in Canadian Irish Studies. The first the quite extraordinary contributions that have enrolled in these courses over the holder of the Chair, which honours the they made over the generations to the de- years and 21 fully funded scholarships three premiers of Quebec, is Michael Ken- velopment of our country needed to be valued at $23,000 are given annually.